Studying abroad is a very exciting experience! There is nothing like advancing your career, traveling to another country, and learning about other cultures all at once. However, that excitement can quickly turn into anxiety-provoking situations like going through getting a visa, saying goodbye to your loved ones, or even figuring out what to pack in your suitcase.
I have been an international student not once, but three times in Europe and the United States. Here are the 3 most important things I learned during my pre-departure journey.
Apply early for your visa
Believe me, you do not want to leave this for the very last minute! Depending on your passport nationality or the length of your educational program, most countries will ask you to apply for a student visa. The task may be long and burdensome, which are the ones we usually procrastinate on. Please, do not procrastinate on your visa application! If you do not know which documents you will need to submit for your visa, search the website of the country’s Consulate, or reach out to the Office for International Students at the University you will be attending. The consulate and the institution abroad will guide you in the right direction!
Pack Smartly
Let’s be honest, most airlines only allow 1 or 2 suitcases if you are traveling in tourist class. Depending on your budget, paying for extra baggage may not be an option. Thus, the question that may pop in your mind is “How am I supposed to pack everything that I need in just a couple of suitcases? My program last 2 YEARS!” Please, don’t panic! Moving abroad can cause a lot of anxiety, especially when the date of departure is approaching, and you have to get everything ready. Since I have made transatlantic moves in the last few years, packing is one of those skills that I am mastering. In my last international move from the US to Spain, I managed to pack all my belongings (including winter clothes) in 2 suitcases and one backpack. My advice: “Pack Smartly and Prioritize”. Think about what you TRULY are going to NEED and pack those things first. If you are unsure about what you are going to need ask yourself these questions: How is the weather in the place you are moving to? How long each season lasts? Are you going to need more winter or summer clothes? Do you anticipate wearing informal or business-casual clothing in your program (you can check the gallery photos of your department’s website for reference? How much storage space do you anticipate having in your host country (are you renting a room or an apartment)?
Ask people who have moved abroad about their experiences
Ask, ask, and ask again. If you know people who have moved abroad, reach out to them and listen to what they have to say. If you know anyone in your host country, contact that person, and ask them about what to expect once you arrive there. What is the cost of living in that country? How can you rent a place? Can you move around on public transportation in that city? Are you legally allowed to work while you study? (every country has different working restrictions for international students, ask your institution or the country’s consulate about this matter to be well-informed).
And here it is the final tip!…
(I know I titled this article by saying “The 3 Most Important Things…”. Usually, our brains feel overwhelmed when they have to process lots of information. Hence, the last tip will be more like a bonus).
Bonus Tip: If you will study abroad in a foreign language, practice as much as possible before you take that flight of departure!
Language barriers are REAL. Regardless of our level of fluency in a foreign language, sometimes we can experience a loss of confidence when we found ourselves in a classroom surrounded by native-speaker students and professors. In those moments, all that anxiety that we felt as a beginner learner can reappear and compromise our concentration and communication skills. What is the best way to manage this lack of confidence? Start to live and breathe in that foreign language NOW! Watch movies, read books or blogs, follow social accounts, leave comments in those accounts, talk to yourself, and do the activities you love in that language. The more you practice the more confident you will feel! (that’s true for any learning process).
Finally, I wish you ALL THE BEST in your study abroad! Once you are in that airplane, enjoy and appreciate every bit of your new experience!
Milena Tesi
(Bilingual Content Writer and Mentor for People Living Abroad. IG Account: @immigrantsplace)
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